Entry Guidelines for International Students: Entry Documents, Cash Declaration, and Quarantine Requirements for the US, UK, Canada, and Australia

2026-09-26 · Application guides

Based on official government websites for the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, this guide explains the documents students must present upon entry (US passport, visa, and signed I-20; UK passport linked to an eVisa; Canadian Port of Entry letter of introduction), why documents should be kept in your carry-on luggage, what to do if selected for secondary inspection, as well as cash declaration limits and Australia's strict quarantine regulations.

Getting your visa is just the first step; the real "entry" happens at the port of entry: border officers will check your documents again, and customs will inspect what you are bringing. Having documents in checked luggage where you can't access them, bringing prohibited food, or carrying cash over the declaration limit without declaring it can all cause trouble upon arrival. Based on information from the official government websites of the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, this article explains what students need to know before and after entry.

1. Documents Required for Entry by Country

United States

You must present the following upon entry:

A valid passport;
A valid visa;
A signed I-20.

The Department of Homeland Security also recommends having the following ready:

The name and contact information of your school's Designated School Official (DSO), including emergency contact for after-hours;
Your admission letter;
Proof of SEVIS fee payment;
Financial documents proving you can afford tuition and living expenses (these can be the same as those used during your visa interview).

Timing: New students can enter the US up to 30 days before the program start date on their I-20.

United Kingdom

The UK's physical visa documents have been replaced by the eVisa. Once your visa is approved, you will receive an eVisa, which requires creating a UKVI account to view. Creating the account and viewing the eVisa are both free;
Travel with the passport linked to your UKVI account. Airlines and others may ask you to prove your identity, so you can generate a "share code" in advance;
Timing: For courses longer than 6 months, you can enter up to 1 month before the course starts; for courses 6 months or shorter, you can enter up to 1 week in advance.

Canada

In Canada, the study permit is issued by a border officer upon entry; upon approval, you will receive a "Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction." Bring the following upon entry:

A valid passport;
The POE Letter of Introduction: it contains your permit reference number, which the border officer uses to issue your study permit;
A copy of your school's letter of acceptance;
A valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or visitor visa;
Valid medical exam results (if you were required to take one);
Any other documents requested by the visa office.

The border officer will confirm you meet the basic requirements and then issue the study permit. It is recommended to check the name, date, and conditions on the spot after receiving it. Canada does not specify the earliest date you can enter, but you cannot work before classes start.

Australia

Upon entry, you must fill out an Incoming Passenger Card (usually distributed on the flight) and truthfully declare any items that require declaration. See the "Customs and Quarantine" section below for details.

2. Keep Documents in Your Carry-On

This rule seems simple but is often overlooked. The US Department of Homeland Security specifically reminds students: keep all documents needed for entry in your carry-on luggage, as you will not have access to your checked bags before clearing customs.

It is recommended to carry a document folder with your passport, visa or POE Letter of Introduction, school documents (I-20, admission letter, CAS information, etc.), proof of funds, medical exam results, insurance proof, as well as the addresses and contact information for your school and accommodation. Keep digital copies of all important documents as well.

3. If You Are Taken for "Secondary Inspection"

Take the US as an example: if your documents are incomplete or cannot be verified on the spot, a border officer may take you to another area for secondary inspection. According to the Department of Homeland Security, officers will first verify your student status through the SEVIS system. Stay calm, answer questions truthfully, and present the documents you have with you; your DSO's contact information will be very useful at this time.

If you are issued an I-515A form (Admission with Temporary I-20), you must submit the required documents to SEVP together with your school's DSO within 30 days.

4. Customs and Quarantine: What to Bring and What to Declare

Cash Declaration

Country	Amount Requiring Declaration	Consequences of Non-Declaration
United States	Over $10,000 USD (or foreign equivalent); fill out FinCEN Form 105	May be subject to seizure
United Kingdom	£10,000 or more (when traveling between Great Britain and non-UK countries)	All cash may be seized; recovering it may require a fine of up to £5,000
Canada	CAD $10,000 or more	May be subject to seizure
Australia	AUD $10,000 (or foreign equivalent)	—

Note: Carrying large amounts of cash is not illegal in itself; failing to declare it is. In the US, the limit is calculated per family traveling together; for example, if a family is traveling together and their combined cash exceeds $10,000, it must be declared. The declaration scope generally also includes traveler's checks and other monetary instruments, subject to specific customs regulations of each country. In fact, university living expenses are better transferred via bank remittance rather than carrying large amounts of cash.

Australia's Strict Quarantine Rules

All food, plant, and animal products must be declared; shoes worn in rural areas or around animals, as well as outdoor sports equipment, must also be declared;
Fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, pork, eggs, and dairy products cannot be brought in;
Some medications require declaration;
Failing to truthfully declare quarantine items may result in a fine of up to AUD $6,600, and could also lead to visa cancellation, entry refusal, and a ban on re-entry for a certain period.

Study Australia's advice is simple: if in doubt, declare it or don't bring it.

Medications

For medications you need to take long-term, it is recommended to bring a doctor's note and prescription, and declare them as required by the destination country. Regulations on medications vary by country, so check the destination country's customs guidelines before departure.

5. What to Do After Entry

United States: Upon entry, the border officer will issue an I-94 arrival/departure record, which records the conditions of your authorized stay. Report to the international student office as soon as possible per your school's requirements and complete registration before classes start.
United Kingdom: Confirm in your UKVI account that your eVisa information is correct and your passport details are linked; use a share code when you need to prove your identity to landlords, employers, etc.
Canada: Verify the information and conditions on your study permit; you can only apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) if work conditions are printed on your study permit.
Australia: Confirm that your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is valid and report to your school as required.

Pre-Departure Checklist

Are your passport, visa (or eVisa, POE Letter of Introduction) valid, and is the information consistent?
Do you have all school documents (I-20, CAS, admission letter, CoE)?
Are proof of funds, medical exam results, and insurance proof in your carry-on luggage?
Have you written down the contact information for your school's DSO or international student office?
Is your entry time within the allowed window?
Does your cash exceed the declaration limit?
Are there any prohibited foods or items requiring declaration in your luggage?

Final Thoughts

The entry process is usually smooth, provided you have all your documents ready at hand and declare everything required. Most entry troubles stem from "thinking it's no big deal": putting documents in checked luggage, failing to declare food, or exceeding the cash limit. Spending half an hour before departure checking against this list can help you avoid these issues.

For the overall arrangement of visa processing, you can check our visa application timeline and common visa misconceptions.

Verification note: This article was verified in September 2026. The US section is cross-referenced with the US Department of Homeland Security's "Study in the States" guide for new student arrivals (updated July 27, 2026); US cash declaration rules are summarized from search snippets of the US Customs and Border Protection website. The UK section is cross-referenced with GOV.UK's Student visa, eVisa, and bringing cash into the UK pages; the Canada section is cross-referenced with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's prepare for arrival page (updated August 28, 2026), and Canada cash declaration rules are summarized from search snippets of the Canada Border Services Agency website; the Australia section is cross-referenced with the Australian Government's Study Australia website on what you can bring to Australia. Customs and quarantine regulations are subject to change; please refer to the latest official information from each country.

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